24 Jul 2020 00:14:33
Read something saying West Ham would want 80m for the sale of Declan Rice and that they are not interested in any exchange of players. I cannot confirm whether this is true or not. However, the fact that they are safe from relegation would suggest that they will be after big money regardless.
If the rumours are anywhere near being true then I'm sure Chelsea are sensible enough to walk away. Just like the club are not willing to entertain Chilwell who is overpriced, im sure the same philosophy will apply for Rice. English players are overpriced, buying from a premier league club is blatant robbery these days.
IMO 50m is the ceiling for Rice or Chilwell for me. My ceiling may be too high in any event because you will find better players in Europe for that fee.
Ampadu has had a wasted year but he would be ready to compete as a CB and provide cover as a DM. There's not much to be ready about to compete with our CB's on all honesty. I'm not saying his the answer but I'm sure the club have a reasonable strategy in place in terms of options.
24 Jul 2020 08:31:41
I would love us to sign Rice and Pope next to get some height in our defence, which Ampadu doesn't offer. Agree with you about him offering cover for DM, but would like to see him get a loan in the EPL to get some experience.
It is the same as Gilmor, he also needs time as a regular starter before he is ready IMO, not just the odd game. What would interesting to see is Callaghar integrated into our midfield. He has had a full season starting every week and has impressed and developed physically. Should now be looking to step up.
As much as I wanted to be proved wrong, I don't think RLC is going to make it, too many injuries and overtaken by Mount. I think we could potentially offload both him and Barkley to another EPL side (Havertz dependant) . Jorginho won't go, to expensive in the current window and still offers us something.
To have the options at CM of Kante, Kovacic, Mount, Jorginho, Callaghar and Havertz would be better than most. And back to the original point of Rice, he would sure up our defence and be able to rotate with what is on paper a very strong midfield.
24 Jul 2020 07:51:27
If Declan Rice shows any encouragement to Chelsea and let’s the West Ham board know that he wants to leave, then it would be in the best interests of everyone to let a deal take place. If he handed in a TR (which I very much doubt he will) . The price would come down.
I think it’s a long shot, but would love him to arrive in the summer.
Ed002 is there really no chance we could get any sort of update on the defence situation please?
Thanks.
{Ed002's Note - None.}
24 Jul 2020 09:26:56
I like Rice but I can't see anything materialise unless West Ham be reasonable which I highly doubt. Ampadu is actually 6ft which isn't bad at all.
24 Jul 2020 09:37:42
It would appear to be a long shot Adam. I really can't see West Ham play ball given that they are safe from relegation now. I doubt Rice would go down the route of transfer request either. Let's hope we can sort something out because Rice has developed into a great young player who has the potential to improve a lot more.
24 Jul 2020 10:58:49
Where would you play Rice? CB or in midfield? Bare in mind we have Kante who will play every game when fit.
24 Jul 2020 11:44:44
CB - mold him into new JT. Could boss that defence for years.
24 Jul 2020 11:49:58
And I ask, do you think we would be looking for Declan Rice if he weren't English? I refuse to join the English hype and continue to over pay for some average players even when there are better value for money out there.
I'm not against buying English players but it has to be worth it and in most cases, we pay premium for them and end up looking for the real gems that we ought to have bought in the first place.
We're talking of a cb who can upgrade us and some you see that in Rice? Jack of two positions but master of none. We can get better value somewhere else with less amount than will be enough for Declan Rice. Quality wins you matches not nationality.
24 Jul 2020 12:54:25
Ilo I like your post mate. Spot on.